While We’re Young is like Ferris Bueller' Day off for today’s generation. I adored this book for so many reasons! It brought me back to my crazy senior skip day and that special feeling of knowing my whole life was still in front of me. Philadelphia is my home, so of course I loved the silly adventure through the city. Plus, the book is so fun to read while still managing to dive deep into female friendships.
K. L. Walther created believable characters, each dealing with their own struggles, and a realistic storyline that explores themes of friendships, love, messiness, goofiness, and what it all means for four seniors about to graduate and face the real world.

This was a cute hommage to Ferris Bueler’s Day off, the marketing definitely got that right.
I had fun reading this romp through Philadelphia. Following Grace, Isa and Everett through their day of adventure was enjoyable, while also watching James figure things out on his end. The multiple points of view kept each character in mind, while each battled their own internal struggle and developed. This book is first and foremost a story of friendship and includes a lot of heart, along with some sadness, pain, and healing. This book has much to offer any reader looking for a light, entertaining reader. I would most recommend this to an upper YA audience.
Many thanks to Random House Children’s via Penguin Teen Canada and NetGalley for a digital arc of the book. The opinions expressed are given freely and are honest and my own.

This book was so much fun! K. L. Walther writes the BEST friendships in her books and this one was no exception. I loved reading about their adventures on their skip day and I loved watching them learn how to communicate better.

While We’re Young by K.L. Walther is a YA homage to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, following three friends who decide to ditch school and spend one final, unforgettable day together near the end of their senior year. While the premise borrows heavily from the classic movie, the book still manages to carve out its own space, weaving in fresh character arcs and emotional throughlines that make it more than just a retelling.

There’s a definite sense of nostalgia throughout - reading about high school always brings up a mix of daydreamy memories, both good and bad. I especially enjoyed the chemistry between Grace and Everett, which felt genuine and well-paced, in contrast to the slightly flatter romance between James and Isa. One thing that tripped me up a bit was the frequent shifts between past and present within chapters. The transitions weren’t always clear, which made it hard to tell what was happening when, but it didn’t ruin the experience.

This is a great pick for readers who love the vibe of Ferris Bueller more than the slapstick humor. If Cameron’s existential crisis in the art museum is your favorite part of that movie, you’ll find echoes of that here, particularly in Isa’s storyline. It’s a youthful, heartfelt, and easy read that leans into those “wise beyond our years” YA moments without losing its charm.

Fun and fast-paced! The perfect lighthearted summer read! I think I will be a fan of anything K. L. Walther writes.

I really wish I had books like these in high school, but reading them now (as an adult in their mid-twenties), it feels nostalgic and I’m able to reminisce about my younger days!!! Walther’s books are always easy to read — and binge!!!

This book started as my train book that I would read on my phone while on the train/waiting for the train, and for that purpose this was a great choice. However, as a book as a whole this one felt very middle of the road for me. There wasn't anything outstanding about it that I really liked but there also wasn't anything outstanding about it that I really hated. I don't think this is my fav of K.L. Walther's, I still think I liked The Summer of Broken Rules the best and the other book I read by her comes in second and this book comes in third but that could also be partially bc I haven't seen Ferris Bueller's Day Off so any reference to that movie went completely over my head. The main criticism I had of this book that I really couldn't get over was how the two couples felt a smidge incestuous. I thought all the characters were really cute and I did really like how that pure, innocent high school love was portrayed but I couldn't get over how they all kept bringing up how they grew up together and all their families are still so close...it literally felt like they were all cousins and that lowkey gave me the ick. I did think James, Grace, Isa, Everrett were all really strong characters, and although for 80% of the book it felt like James was constantly trying to catch up with the other three, I did still think the ending was cute and I liked the reveal when he eventually found them. Again, the portrayal of "nothing will ever go wrong and we'll never break up" relationships that you can truly only have at 18 was really cute, refreshing and well-done (if it was a little less incestuous I would've liked it a lot more). My other super dumb pet peeve that I have to note is that I do not like it when authors who clearly aren't 22 anymore try to describe what teenagers wear to school now. Because I know if Isa wore her high heels and high wasted skirts to my high school she would've been made fun of. I understand we are trying to describe her as a character and one of her traits is that she's very into fashion etc etc, but I just cringed when they described her outfit. It needed to be taken down just a peg. Because then as I'm reading all I can think about is her outfit and how ridiculous an 18 year-old would look wearing a Hermes scarf, gold high heels, a yellow cardigan, and a purple high-wasted mini skirt to school. Anyways, in conclusion this book was cute but nothing crazy.

Grace, James, Isa and Everett were best friends until things got messy in high school. But when Grace decides to go full Ferris Bueller with Isa and Everett (no James….) she has no idea just how messy things have really gotten and what it’s going to take to bring this group back together. This is a thoughtful but fluffy YA full of friendship and first loves and silliness - just a completely lovely read. It’s also a gorgeous homage to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and if you’ve seen it as many times as I have you are going to pick up on all the big and small Easter eggs. Walther sets the hijinx in Philidelphia and it’s a real love letter to the city. If you’ve never been you’re going to want to visit, even for a whirlwind day playing hooky.

A big thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Romance for this modern trip down memory lane!

I loved this book! perfect summer read. it follows a group of 4 characters which is a found family. it follows a senior skip day and it was very fast paced and enjoyable. highly reccomend.

I am always excited to pick up K.L. Walther's new books because they are such fun YA romances. Lately I haven't enjoyed the YA books I've read but this author is an exception. This book follows 4 high school seniors who need to reconnect their friendships before everyone goes off to college. The main character Grace is afraid her childhood friends will go off to school without staying connected and she refuses to let that happen. So, she orchestrates skipping school and spending the day exploring Philadelphia and their favorite childhood spots. The group has some past drama to work through and a few potential romances that can surface. I enjoyed seeing these characters open up to each other again and having fun adventures along the way!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for a review!

A sweet contemporary story from author KL Walther. And for all fans of Bueller, Ferris Bueller. But in todays age.

The story was cute and entertaining. I like the Hometown adventure that they went on and the approach to reuniting as best friends.

While Were Young by. K.L Walther
⭐️⭐️⭐️.8/5
This was a very anticipated read for me and I would say I enjoyed it on several levels. It was fun and goofy, an easy read that appeared light hearted… boy was I wrong. There was so much joy in this story but K.L Walther did an amazing job recognizing that we’ve all got our own issues and things in our life. Having the friendship that these friends had is everything and I enjoyed the wild goose hunt James went on, it really adds to the plot and showed the passion and love these friends had for each other. I found myself referring back to “What Happens After Midnight” often as they have similar ideas and themes. As much as I loved this story and the fight these characters have experienced for each other and the realistic side of this story I will say it got a bit slow at times. Halfway through the book I was excited and ready for some crazy twist but it felt kind of empty. Some of these chapters were kind of hit or miss for me as they were uneventful, not really matching the rest of the mood of the book. Besides this small detail I enjoyed this book dearly and was very impressed with her ability to not only have two POVs but four different POVs while still maintaining a concise and organized text. If you’re looking for an exciting but also deep story this may be for you!
Tropes in this book
* Friends-Lovers
* Young Adult
* Depression and Anxiety rep
* Best friends Brother
* Spontaneous Trip
Songs that remind me of this book
* Never Grow Up. Taylor Swift
* Take me out to the ball game. champs united
* I don’t want this night to end. Luke Bryan

I have not gotten around to posting any reviews but I absolutely will, thanks

ARC REVIEW:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Grace, Isa, and Everett have been a package deal since the day they met. But when a nasty breakup results in a fissure between two thirds of the trio, drastic action is needed. With graduation mere weeks away, Grace plans the ultimate senior skip day. Will gallivanting across Philadelphia remind them of all the good times they have shared, or will it prove some friendships have expiration dates?

If you grew up in the 80s and 90s, you are familiar with the plethora of coming of age comedies that stole the hearts of Americans. K. L. Walther’s latest YA (young adult) RomCom, While We’re Young, plays homage to the popular John Hughes film, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Fans of the genre will appreciate Walther’s adaptation and her decision to place a studious, female protagonist in the lead role.

It might seem counterintuitive to have Grace Barbour, a devoted academic and rule follower, plan an epic senior ditch day. However, Walther’s decision proves she is always one step ahead. Everyone expects the class clown or school slacker to ditch, no one expects the beloved class president.

Witnessing the high school trio reconnect and begin to rebuild their friendship was a rollercoaster of emotion. Not only does this book have all the feels, but it is guaranteed to keep you entertained from start to finish. Once you start, you won’t be able to stop!

Be sure to read for:
-multiple POVs
-secret pining
-teenage drama
-second chance friendship
-lots of adventure

Special thanks to Netgalley, Random House Children’s, and K.L. Walter for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a fun take on Ferris Buller’s Day Off! I absolutely loved how we got everyone’s point of view and the depth we got of each character! The group’s dynamic was so fun and loving. I wish I could go on adventures with this group!

KL Walther is a young adult author who holds auto-buy status with me. I am enchanted by her writing style, her humor, and, of course, the Taylor Swift references. (Oh, how KL was manifesting reputation (taylor’s version) so hard in this.) While I’m not the biggest fan of “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” I can’t deny this story is the spiritual successor to that ‘80s movie. However, this novel did not manage to knock “The Summer of Broken Rules” from its place as my favorite KL Walther book.

KL Walther young adult novels are some of my favorite novels out on the market. That’s due to her gorgeous writing style, and the care with which she handles sensitive topic matter. This is the second book of hers I’ve read that discusses grief and how it impacts the people left behind in the wake of a death. As always, that topic was handled with grace, understanding, and an honesty to it. Grief is not a linear healing journey, but something that hangs with a person for the rest of their life.

I want to give Walther her due—it is difficult to write a story that spans a single day, and this novel made it appear effortless. This was a delightful adventure through Philidelphia—I've never been, and now I need to visit that city—that had me laughing and gasping over the shenanigans. There is magic to exploring the world through the lens of a teenager and not having worries about consequences. However, the ending felt abrupt. There were multiple plots I wanted to see the loose ends resolved for (if the house was going to be sold, what happened between Isa’s parents), and it was a surprise to read the last chapter and turn to the next page to see the acknowledgements. I recognize the subplots would have taken the novel beyond the scope of the single day, but I would have loved to see an Epilogue of all the characters a few months, or even a year, down the line and what happened to those subplots.

Going into this, I was not expecting this novel to have four distinct perspectives. I loved being able to see where everyone’s headspace was at and which secrets were being withheld. The perspective shifts brought a delicious tension to the story and were a driving force behind my reading pace. But, there was a detriment to these four perspectives as well. Because there were four different characters, I had a difficult time finding the chemistry between the two couples. The story would have been stronger—and a four-star read—if the focus was more on repairing friendships over focusing on the romances. Since the story only spanned one day, I never got a sense of either couple, nor did I really root for them. What I was rooting for was the repairing of their platonic and sibling relationships.

This is a side note, but I wasn’t a huge fan of the fourth wall breaking in this novel. Those moments occurred in James and Everrett’s perspectives, and they were always jarring. Breaking the fourth wall always pulls me out of a story, and that remained true for this novel as well.

Overall, this was a fun young adult romp! It triggered my nostalgia for my high school years and made me long for more adventure. I look forward to reading more of KL Walther’s books in the future.

TW: grief, death of a parent (off-page)

Thank you to Delacorte Romance and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

✨ ARC Review ✨
Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Just wrapped up this ARC and I have some thoughts! It had its moments, and there’s definitely more to unpack. Stay tuned for my full review coming soon!

Best friends Grace, Isa, and Everett ditch school for their own makeshift Senior Skip Day, before graduation comes and they’re all pulled in different directions. Each has a secret they’re hiding from the other, and Grace’s brother, James, is left behind and in the dark until he takes matters into his own hands. A gender-swapped Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, WHILE WE’RE YOUNG was a fun, quick read about friendship, growing up, and loss.

K. L. Walther set her own bar so high for me with SUMMER OF BROKEN RULES that it’s been difficult for her subsequent books to reach that level, and unfortunately, this book was no exception.

But first, what worked:
The four perspectives were seamless; each was distinct from the other, and I think being in each of these character’s heads and getting an inside look at what they were hiding from the others really added to the story.

Another component that I enjoyed is something Walther excels at—writing a story that’s lighthearted on the surface but has an undertone of grief and loss that the characters are experiencing. You can tell she’s writing from experience and doesn’t pull punches, which I love.

Unfortunately, a lot of the conflict in this book relies on the miscommunication trope, which isn’t a favorite of mine either.

And while Walther excels at writing friendships, and this was no exception, the romance in this book missed the mark for me as well. I didn’t feel the chemistry between Isa and James or Grace and Everett.

In the end, everything was wrapped up a little too neatly and into a perfect bow for my personal taste, but such is the case often with YA. Everyone was quick to forgive each other for their respective deceptions, and while that isn’t completely unrealistic, I was surprised that there was no added conflict there, and their problems were essentially easily swept under the rug.

I was also frustrated that we didn’t ultimately get any resolution for these characters.

Specifically, if Grace and James’s house is going to be sold and where they’re moving to, since their parents have been keeping it a secret, or what happened when Isa told her mom about her dad’s affair or seeing any aftermath of his car being destroyed. Or Everett dealing with the repercussions of lying to his mom about where he was or coming clean about wanting to start antidepressants.

All in all, not my favorite book from Walther. I’m hoping her newest release, FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING, breaks this streak.

thank you netgalley and random house for the opportunity to read this ARC!

i was a huge fan of Summer of broken rules and was so excited to read this one! Grace, a high senior, decides to plan a day off from school to help her two best friends Isa and Everett reconcile their differences before college.

You get multiple perspectives in the book, which helps you fall for characters especially everett! The author does a great job getting deeper with the characters even though this is a YA lighthearted read! I think it’s rare to find books with so many perspectives and also making each one very different. The very few things i did not like were the flash back chapters because they were very long! I would be reading and forget i was in the flash book and had to flip back and be like OHHHH. A few things felt rushed in the book but overall, i would recommend this book! It’s a fast paced read, a great palette cleanser!

K.L. Walther's "While We're Young" offers a nostalgic, single-day adventure through Philadelphia. While the premise is engaging and the setting vibrant, As someone who grew up watching classic 80's teen movies, this book was a great nod to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. I did find the pacing of the book to be slow at times, making this a light but superficial read for me. Overall, this book is perfect for those wanting a light and easy read.